Quick answer: Falafel is a deep-fried patty made from ground chickpeas (or fava beans) and herbs — it’s fully plant-based. Shawarma is thinly sliced meat — usually chicken, lamb, beef, or turkey — that’s marinated and slow-roasted on a vertical spit. Both are Mediterranean and Middle Eastern staples often served in the same pita or bowl, but one is a crispy vegetarian fritter, and the other is spiced roasted meat.
Walk up to a Mediterranean counter in NYC, and you’ll see both names on the menu, often side by side. They pair beautifully, but they’re completely different foods. Here’s how to tell them apart — and how to choose.
What Is Falafel?
Falafel is a fritter made from soaked, ground chickpeas or fava beans blended with garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, cumin, and coriander, then shaped into balls or patties and fried until deep golden and crisp. The inside stays soft, green-flecked, and herby.
Because it’s built entirely from legumes and herbs, falafel is naturally vegan and vegetarian, high in plant protein and fiber. It’s one of the oldest and most beloved street foods in the Middle East and a go-to for plant-based diners.
What Is Shawarma?
Shawarma is as much a preparation as a dish. Seasoned strips of meat — most often chicken, lamb, beef, or turkey — are stacked onto a tall vertical rotisserie and roasted slowly as the spit turns. The cook shaves off the crisp, caramelized outer layer to order, so every serving is juicy inside with browned edges.
The marinade is where shawarma gets its signature flavor: warm spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, and garlic. Unlike falafel, shawarma is meat-based, making it higher in protein from animal sources.
Falafel vs Shawarma: Side by Side
| Falafel | Shawarma | |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredient | Ground chickpeas or fava beans | Marinated meat (chicken, lamb, beef, turkey) |
| Diet | Vegan / vegetarian | Meat-based |
| Cooking method | Deep-fried patties | Slow-roasted on a vertical spit |
| Texture | Crispy outside, soft and herby inside | Juicy, tender, with caramelized edges |
| Flavor | Fresh, garlicky, herb-forward | Warm, smoky, deeply spiced |
| Common format | Pita, wrap, or bowl with tahini | Pita, wrap, or bowl with garlic sauce (toum) |
Which Is Healthier?
Both can be genuinely healthy — it depends on preparation and portion. Falafel is plant-based and rich in fiber and plant protein, but because it’s fried, it absorbs oil; baked versions are lighter. Shawarma, especially chicken shawarma, is lean and very high in protein, though fattier cuts and heavy sauces add up.
For the lightest plate either way, choose a bowl over a wrap, load up on salad and vegetables, and go easy on creamy sauces. Falafel wins for plant-based diners; chicken shawarma wins for high-protein, lower-carb eaters.
Do You Have to Choose? (No.)
Here’s the secret: you don’t have to pick a side. A combo plate or bowl with both falafel and shawarma gives you crispy fritters and spit-roasted meat in one meal — the best of Mediterranean street food. It’s one of the most popular ways to order.
At Zazu Mediterranean Street Food in Chelsea, we make both fresh to order: falafel fried crisp in small batches, and chicken shawarma marinated and spit-roasted in-house. Get either in a pita, over a bowl, or together on one plate — dine in, take out, or order delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between falafel and shawarma?
Falafel is a deep-fried patty of ground chickpeas and herbs and is fully plant-based. Shawarma is thinly sliced marinated meat slow-roasted on a vertical spit. One is a vegetarian fritter; the other is spiced roasted meat.
Is falafel or shawarma healthier?
Both can be healthy. Falafel is plant-based and high in fiber but is fried, so it absorbs oil. Chicken shawarma is lean and very high in protein. Choosing a bowl with extra vegetables and lighter sauce is the healthiest way to order either one.
Is falafel vegan?
Yes. Traditional falafel is made entirely from chickpeas or fava beans, herbs, and spices, with no animal products, making it naturally vegan and vegetarian. Check that it’s fried in vegetable oil and served with a plant-based sauce like tahini.
Can you get falafel and shawarma together?
Absolutely. A combo plate or bowl with both is one of the most popular ways to order Mediterranean street food, giving you crispy falafel and juicy shawarma in a single meal. Zazu offers both together in Chelsea, NYC.
What sauces go with falafel and shawarma?
Falafel is classically paired with tahini and fresh vegetables, while shawarma is often served with garlic sauce (toum) or a yogurt-based sauce. Both are delicious with hummus, pickles, and a squeeze of lemon.